Barium swallowing kit

ABSTRACT

A barium swallowing kit comprising a primary container and a plurality of individual food containers included in the primary container. Each of the food containers includes a measured amount of a liquid or a solid food of differing consistency to provide variety for testing the patient&#39;s swallowing mechanism. A plurality of barium packets are also included in the primary container. Each of the barium packets has a measured amount of barium sulfate for mixing with the food in one of the food containers. Accordingly, the invention provides for a ready-made dosage of barium sulfate to be mixed with an included solid or liquid food substance to facilitate the determination of whether the patient is experiencing an aspiration problem during swallowing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Applicant claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/428,340 filed Nov. 21, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to modified barium swallowingstudies, and more particularly, to a barium swallowing kit for providingthe necessary components for testing the swallowing mechanism of apatient and recording the results by x-ray videotape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A modified barium swallowing study is a videotaped x-ray of apatient's oral (mouth) and pharyngeal (throat) mechanism during theeating or drinking process. This test can be used to detect dysphagia, aterm used to described a difficulty in swallowing. The process ofswallowing is complex and involves twenty-six pairs of muscles and sevencranial nerves. The process generally begins with the sight of food andis completed with the food entering the stomach. In the event that thenormal process of swallowing is interfered with, respiratory illness andchoking can result. When foods or liquids enter the airway, a patientcan aspirate resulting in choking, illness such as pneumonia, andbreathing problems.

[0004] In order to determine whether aspiration or other swallowingdisorders are present in a patient, the-modified barium swallowing studyis performed. As this study is an x-ray videotape of the patient'sswallowing abilities, it is generally performed in a radiologydepartment. A videotape is made of the patient swallowing a variety offoods and liquids mixed with barium, therefore allowing the food toappear on an x-ray. The use of a modified barium swallowing study canshow whether aspiration is occurring in the airway below the level ofthe vocal cords and determine whether silent aspiration is present.Silent aspiration is defined as a cough that is not produced within tenseconds of an aspiration episode.

[0005] In performing a modified barium swallowing study, various typesof food and liquid consistencies are used which have been mixed withbarium. Additionally, utensils are necessary such as a fork, spoon,straw, mixing palette, napkin. Presently, when a radiology departmentwishes to perform a modified barium swallowing study, the radiologydepartment must request the various food substances from the cafeteria.As the cafeteria's primary purpose is to provide food to the entirehospital system, the radiology department may not be able to use thesame type of food with the necessary differences in consistency for eachbarium swallowing test.

[0006] Typically, once the food is ordered from the cafeteria, it issent to the radiology department where it is then mixed with barium inthe form of barium sulfate. The logistics of the present process, basedon the delay in ordering the food, receiving the food from thecafeteria, and adding a carefully measured amount of barium sulfate,create unnecessary delays for the patient, the radiology department, andthe speech language pathologist. This is in addition to the problem ofnot receiving the correct foods from the hospital cafeteria.

[0007] To conduct the test, food is received by the radiology departmentand mixed with barium, thereby resulting in a barium coated liquid orsolid food. Barium inventory is kept in the radiology department and itis up to the speech language pathologist, or possibly the radiologytechnician, to prepare the appropriate mixture of food substance andbarium. Therefore, providing a barium swallowing kit where all thenecessary elements are contained in a single location, prepackaged foruse by the patient, speech language pathologist, and the radiologydepartment is a problem to which the present invention is directed

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea complete kit containing all the materials needed to prepare foodsamples for a modified barium swallowing study.

[0009] Another object of this invention is to provide a bariumswallowing kit containing a measured amount of solid food and liquidfood of differing consistencies, and a measured amount of barium sulfatefor mixing with the food for use during a modified barium swallowingstudy in order to provide more consistent results in a timely manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The above objectives are accomplished by providing a bariumswallowing kit for use in x-ray procedures to study a patient'sswallowing mechanism. The kit first includes a primary container forhousing the kit items. A plurality of individual food containers arethen included in the primary container. Each of the food containersincludes a measured amount of a liquid or a solid food of differingconsistency to provide variety for testing the patient's swallowingmechanism. A plurality of barium packets are also included in theprimary container. Each of the barium packets has a measured amount ofbarium sulfate for mixing with the food in one of the food containers.

[0011] Preferably, each of the food containers in the barium swallowingkit is adapted for carrying approximately 4 ounces of solid food andapproximately 6 ounces of liquid food. Further, each of the foodcontainers preferably includes a food reservoir portion and a removablelid enclosing the food reservoir portion so that the food is enclosed inthe food reservoir portion until mixing with the barium sulfate, whichis done in the food reservoir portion without the need for a separatemixing container.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, each barium packet contains an amountof barium sulfate to mix with the food at a ratio of between 20-60%barium sulfate by volume. Additionally, in a particularly advantageousembodiment, each barium packet contains barium sulfate in a powder formfor mixing with the food in the food containers.

[0013] The barium swallowing kit also includes a napkin contained withinthe primary container for use by the patient upon ingestion of the food.A spoon is also contained within the primary container for eating thesolid or liquid food. A spatula is also contained within the primarycontainer for mixing the food with the barium sulfate. A straw is alsocontained within the primary container for drinking the liquid food. Aset of instructions is also contained within the primary container forexplaining use of the kit items.

[0014] Preferably, at least two of the food containers include liquidfoods of differing consistency, and at least two of the food containersinclude solid foods of differing consistency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading ofthe following specifications and by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention isshown and wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective of the elements of the invention,

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of theelements of the invention,

[0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the method of using theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, the kit includes a primary container 10shown having top 12 for enclosing the primary container. A plurality ofindividual food containers, designated generally as 14, are provided forplacement within primary container 10. Each of the food containersincludes a measured amount of a liquid or a solid food of differingconsistency to provide variety for testing the patient's swallowingmechanism.. Food substances can include, for example, fruits, meats,crackers, cookies, pudding, and juices. It is desirable to havediffering consistencies of foods from solids to liquids to facilitatethe various levels of aspiration that may occur in patients who haveswallowing problems. For example, a patient may be able to swallowpudding without difficulty, but will be unable to swallow juice withoutdifficulty. Preferably, at least two of food containers 14 includeliquid foods of differing consistency, and at least two of the foodcontainers include solid foods of differing consistency.

[0020] Preferably, each individual food container 14 is of a sufficientvolume to carry approximately 4 ounces of solid food-and approximately 6ounces of liquid food, which is usually sufficient to conduct themodified barium study of the specific food being swallowed. Further,each of the food containers preferably includes a food reservoir portion14 a and a removable lid 14 b enclosing the food reservoir portion sothat the food is enclosed in the food reservoir portion until mixingwith the barium sulfate, which is done in the food reservoir portionwithout the need for a separate mixing container.

[0021] A plurality of barium packets, designated generally as 16, areincluded in primary container 10, which contain a predetermined measuredamount of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) to be mixed with the solid food orliquid food substance of food containers 14. Preferably, the bariumpackets contain at least one ounce of barium sulfate in a powder formfor mixing with the solid or liquid foods. Alternatively, the bariumsulfate could be suspended in a liquid, or even a paste, but powder isthe preferred option for mixing with foods of various consistency.Generally, the amount of barium mixed with the solid or liquid food isdone in a ratio of between 20-60% barium sulfate by volume. In apreferred embodiment, the barium sulfate is mixed with the food at aratio of 40% barium sulfate by volume. By way of example, in thisembodiment, as the food containers are intended to hold approximately 4ounces of solid food, each barium packet for mixing with the solid foodwould hold approximately 1.6 ounces of barium sulfate in a power form.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a napkin 18 isincluded within primary container 10 so that the napkin is available foruse while the patient is ingesting the contents of food containers 14that have been mixed with barium sulfate. A spoon 20 is also containedwithin primary container 10 for eating the solid and liquid foods. In afurther advantageous embodiment, spoon 20 is included with a sanitarynapkin 22 in a first sterile sealed package 24 so that a sterile spoonand napkin is provided for the patient for use with ingesting thecontents of food containers 14. Further, a mixing spatula 30 is alsopreferably provided in primary container 10 for mixing the powderybarium sulfate with the selected food. Advantageously, spatula 30 may beenclosed in a second sterile sealed package 32. Additionally, a straw 26is included within primary container 10 to assist with ingesting liquidsfrom food containers 14. Straw 26 helps to deliver foods farther backinto the mouth and throat for harder to swallow foods for the particularpatient, which promotes operation of the swallowing mechanisms for thetest. Straw 26 is preferably wrapped in a third sterile sealed package28. Also, a set of instructions 34 is preferably included with thecontents of primary container 10 to provide the practitioner the abilityto review information concerning the modified barium swallowing kit andits use. Additionally, instructions can be printed on the inside oroutside of primary container 10.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, solid foods 36 and liquid foods 38 can alsobe contained within a tray 40 that is carried within primary container10. By way of example as shown in FIG. 2, tray 40 has a plurality offood reservoirs 41 included within the tray for containing liquid andsolid foods. Preferably, each of food reservoirs 41 includes a measuredamount of a liquid or a solid food of differing consistency to providevariety for testing the patient's swallowing mechanism. A removablecover 43 is carried by tray 40 for enclosing each of food reservoirs 41until needed for mixing with the barium sulfate in packets 16 so thatthe food is prevented from leaking out of the food reservoirs. In theevent that tray 40 contains only solid food substances, liquids can becontained in food containers 14 as described above with removable lids,which can also be included within primary container 10 together withtray 40.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, the process for using the enclosedinvention is described in more detail. In step 44 the patient isexamined. In step 46, determination is made that a barium swallowing kitneeds to be prescribed for the patient. In step 48, the patient is sentto the radiology department and the barium kit is retrieved from aninventory. In step 50, the barium kit is opened and prepared for use. Instep 52, food substances are retrieved from the barium kit and opened.In step 54, barium sulfate is retrieved from the barium kit and opened.In step 56, the barium sulfate is mixed with the solid or liquid foodsubstance using the spoon, spatula, or some other mixing means. In theevent that the barium sulfate is to be put into the liquid, the bariumis poured into the liquid and stirred. In step 58, the x-ray machine isprepared which can include a video recording device so as to record theresults of the barium sulfate food mixture being swallowed. In step 60,the patient ingests the barium sulfate infused substances which can beviewed by the x-ray machine. In step 62, the results of the x-ray, aswell as any video that is created, are reviewed and a diagnosis isprepared for the patient.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barium swallowing kit for use in x-rayprocedures to study a patient's swallowing mechanism, said kitcomprising: a primary container for housing the kit items; a pluralityof individual food containers included in said primary container; eachof said food containers including a measured amount of a liquid or asolid food of differing consistency to provide variety for testing thepatient's swallowing mechanism; a plurality of barium packets includedin said primary container; and, each of said barium packets having ameasured amount of barium sulfate for mixing with the food in one ofsaid food containers.
 2. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1 whereineach of said food containers. is adapted for carrying approximately 4ounces of solid food and approximately 6 ounces of liquid food..
 3. Thebarium swallowing kit of claim 1 wherein each of said food containersincludes a food reservoir portion and a removable lid enclosing saidfood reservoir portion so that the food is enclosed in said foodreservoir portion until mixing with said barium sulfate in said foodreservoir portion.
 4. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1 Wherein eachbarium packet contains an amount of barium sulfate to mix with the foodat a ratio of between 20-60% barium sulfate by volume.
 5. The bariumswallowing kit of claim 1 wherein each barium packet contains bariumsulfate in a powder form for mixing with said food in said foodcontainers.
 6. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1 including a napkincontained within said primary container for use by said patient uponingestion of said food.
 7. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1including a spoon contained within said primary container for eatingsaid solid or liquid food.
 8. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1including a spatula contained within said primary container for mixingsaid food with said barium sulfate.
 9. The barium swallowing kit ofclaim 1 including a straw contained within said primary container fordrinking said liquid food.
 10. The barium swallowing kit of claim 1including a set of instructions contained within said primary containerfor explaining use of the kit items.
 11. The barium swallowing kit ofclaim 1 wherein at least two of said food containers include liquidfoods of differing consistency, and wherein at least two of said foodcontainers include solid foods of differing consistency.
 12. A bariumswallowing kit for use in x-ray procedures to study a patient'sswallowing mechanism, said kit comprising: a primary container forhousing the kit items; a tray having a plurality of individual foodreservoirs included in said primary container; each of said foodreservoirs including a measured amount of a liquid or a solid food ofdiffering consistency to provide variety for testing the patient'sswallowing mechanism; a removable cover carried by said tray enclosingeach of said food reservoirs until needed to prevent the food fromleaking out of said food reservoirs; a plurality of barium packetsincluded in said primary container; and, each of said barium packetshaving a measured amount of barium sulfate for mixing with the food inone of said food reservoirs.
 13. The barium swallowing kit of claim 12wherein each barium packet contains an amount of barium sulfate to mixwith the food at a ratio of between 20-60% barium sulfate by volume. 14.The barium swallowing kit of claim 12 including a first sterile sealedpackage that includes a spoon and napkin, which is contained within saidprimary container for use by said patient upon ingestion of said food.15. The barium swallowing kit of claim 14 including a second sterilesealed package that includes a spatula, which is contained within saidprimary container for mixing said food in said individual foodreservoirs with said barium sulfate.
 16. The barium swallowing kit ofclaim 15 including a third sterile sealed package that includes a straw,which is contained within said primary container for drinking saidliquid food.
 17. The barium swallowing kit of claim 12 including a setof instructions printed on said primary container for explaining use ofthe kit items.
 18. A barium swallowing kit for use in x-ray proceduresto study a patient's swallowing mechanism, said kit comprising: aprimary container for housing the kit items; a tray having a pluralityof individual. food reservoirs included in said primary container; eachof said food reservoirs including a measured amount of a solid food ofdiffering consistency to provide variety for testing the patient'sswallowing mechanism; a removable cover carried by said tray enclosingeach of said food reservoirs until needed to prevent said solid foodfrom leaking out of said food reservoirs; a plurality of liquid foodcontainers included in said primary container; each of said liquid foodcontainers including a measured amount of a liquid food of differingconsistency to provide variety for testing the patient's swallowingmechanism; a removable lid carried by each of said liquid foodcontainers enclosing the container until needed to prevent said liquidfood from leaking out of said liquid food containers; a plurality ofbarium packets included in said primary container; and, each of saidbarium packets having a measured amount of barium sulfate for mixingwith the solid or liquid food in one of said food reservoirs and liquidfood containers.
 19. The barium swallowing kit of claim 18 wherein eachbarium packet contains an amount of barium sulfate to mix with saidsolid and liquid food at a ratio of between 20-60% barium sulfate byvolume.
 20. The barium swallowing kit of claim 18 including a firststerile sealed package that includes a spoon and napkin, a secondsterile sealed package that includes a spatula, a third sterile sealedpackage that includes a straw, and a set of instructions, which are allincluded in said primary container for use by said patient to mix saidsolid and liquid food with said barium sulfate and ingest said food.